Governor's Commission on Climate Change

Governor Timothy M. Kaine established the Governor's Commission on Climate Change in December 2007. The commission will prepare a plan for Virginia that identifies ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

During the development of the plan, the commission will take the following steps:

• Inventory the amount of and contributors to Virginia’s greenhouse gas emissions, including emissions projections through 2025
   
• Evaluate the expected impacts of climate change on Virginia’s citizens, natural resources and economy
   
• Identify climate change approaches being pursued by other states, regions and the federal government
   
• Identify what Virginia needs to do to prepare for the likely consequences of climate change
   
• Identify any actions (beyond those identified in the Virginia Energy Plan) that need to be taken to achieve the 30 percent greenhouse gas reduction goal

The Virginia Energy Plan, released in September 2007, set a goal for the Commonwealth to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2025. The reduction in emissions will be partially achieved through energy conservation and renewable energy actions listed in the energy plan.

The Governor's Commission on Climate Change will identify additional steps that need to be taken to achieve the emissions reduction goal in a report scheduled to be issued by Dec.15, 2008.